Festive rail engineering programme announced

Engineering works will disrupt services in Sussex and Surrey over Christmas

Engineering works affecting railway services in Surrey and Sussex over the Christmas and early new year period have been revealed.

Network Rail said it would be carrying out "heavy maintenance" at Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges stations.

Engineers will also be working on the conductor rail at East Croydon in London, a station used by many Thameslink and Southern services, with extensive works also being carried out across South London.

On 4 January buses will replace trains between Purley and East Grinstead and between Oxted and Uckfield, while trains between Victoria and Reigate will only run between Redhill and Reigate.

Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director, Network Rail Southern Region, said: "The festive period gives us a rare chance to make the most of lower passenger numbers to carry out vital work on the railway.

"The areas of track and infrastructure being worked on this Christmas are normally some of the busiest sections of railway in the country, so we will make the most of this window of opportunity to work while the railway is closed, as we aim to give passengers safer and more reliable journey."

Passengers planning to travel over Christmas should check timetables ahead of their journeys

Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink, said: "With Christmas just around the corner, I would like to urge all our passengers to please check online now and plan ahead for the changes being made to our services during the festive season."